Rose plant named &#39;WELzero&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy, bush type rose plant of the hybrid tea class primarily identified by buds and flowers of a medium red color, exhibition form and semi-glossy green foliage.

[0001] Be if known that I, Verlie W. Wells, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Brighton, in the county of Tipton, Stateof Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful improvements in:

ROSE PLANT/Var. WELzero

[0002] and I do declare the following to be a full, clear and exactdescription of the same.

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofhardy, bush type rose plant of the hybrid tea class; the variety beingprimarily characterized—as to novelty—by buds and flowers of a mediumred color which generally are of exhibition form.

[0004] The variety is further characterized by:

[0005] An abundance of bloom, with flowers often borne singly and alsoseveral to the stem.

[0006] A plant which is vigorous, bushy, and upright in shape withmedium growth habit and leathery/semi-glossy foliage.

[0007] The plant, which has an average height of 48 inches, can easilybe maintained at a lesser height by occasional trimming.

[0008] A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in thegreenhouse and outdoors; can be grown in pots; and provides excellentgarden decoration as well as cut flowers.

[0009] The present variety of hybrid tea rose was originated by me in mygreenhouse located at Brighton, Tenn. under conditions of carefulcontrol and observation, as a cross between ‘Alec's Red’ as the seedparent and a seedling of ‘First Prize’ as the pollen parent.

[0010] Subsequent to origination of the variety, I successfullyasexually reproduced it at my hybridizing garden, located as aforesaid,by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

[0011] The color photograph illustrates the variety, including thefoliage, buds and flowers.

[0012] Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety ofhybrid tea rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereofin outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference toThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where common termsof color definition are employed.

[0013] Class: Hybrid Tea. Variety identification: WELzero (Commercialsynonym: Nine-Eleven).

FLOWER

[0014] Observations made from specimens grown in a garden environment atBrighton, Tenn. in April 2002 through October 2002.

[0015] Blooming habit: Repeats well.

[0016] Bud:

[0017]Size.—1 inch at base. 1¼ inches in height.

[0018]Form.—Urn shape.

[0019]Color.—Medium Red. Red Purple Group 60D.

[0020]Sepals.—Color: Medium to Dark Yellow Green. Inner Surface YellowGreen Group 145C. Outer Surface Yellow Green Group 147A. Surfacetexture: Mostly smooth. Number: Usually five with some foliaceousappendages.

[0021]Peduncle.—Length: 4 to 4½ inches. Surface: Small thorns. Strength:Stiff and strong. Upright. Color: Yellow Green Group 144B with streaksof Grey Red Group 182A.

[0022] Bloom:

[0023]Size.—Large. Average open size 4 to 4½ inches.

[0024]Borne.—Singly and in clusters of three flowers.

[0025]Stems.—Long and straight.

[0026]Form.—High centered.

[0027]Petalage.—Double; Number of petals under normal conditions: 25-35.

[0028]Color.—Medium Red. Upper side of petal Red Purple Group 60B. Lowerside of petal Red Purple Group 60D.

[0029]Variegations.—None.

[0030]Discoloration.—May darken with age.

[0031]Fragrance.—None.

[0032] Reproductive parts:

[0033]Anthers.—Size: Medium. Color: Yellow Orange Group 23A.Arrangement: Regular around styles.

[0034]Filaments.—Yellow Orange Group 23A.

[0035]Pollen.—Quantity: Average.

[0036]Styles.—Color: Orange Group 29B.

[0037]Stigmas.—Color: Orange Group 29B.

[0038]Ovaries.—All enclosed in calyx.

[0039]Hips.—None. Female reproductive system appears to be sterile.

[0040]Seeds.—Has not demonstrated the ability to produce seeds.

[0041] Growth:

[0042]Habit.—Tall and upright, bushy, vigorous to 48 inches.

[0043] Foliage:

[0044]Leaflets.—Number on normal mid-stem: 5 to 7 leaves.

[0045]Size.—Medium. Leaflets vary in length from 1½ to 3½ inches.

[0046]Quantity.—Abundant.

[0047]Color.—New foliage: Upper Surface Green Group 143B. Lower SurfaceGreen Group 137A; reddish overcast and reddish serrated edge. Oldfoliage: Upper surface: Green Group 137C. Lower surface: Green Group143C.

[0048] Leaflets:

[0049]Shape.—Pointed oval.

[0050]Texture.—Leathery; semi-glossy.

[0051]Edge.—Serrated.

[0052]Serration.—Small to medium.

[0053]Petiole rachis.—Smooth with Grey Orange Group 177A coloration.

[0054]Petiole underside.—Smooth with Grey Orange Group 174A coloration.

[0055]Stipules.—Medium about ½ inch.

[0056] Wood:

[0057]New wood.—Color: Reddish but turns medium green very quickly.

[0058]Old wood.—Color: Medium Green Group 137B. Smooth bark.

[0059] Prickles:

[0060]Quantity.—Medium about ¾ of the way up the stem, then very few.

[0061]Form.—Varying sizes from small prickles to medium thorns; Mediumthorn size ({fraction (3/16)} to ¼ inch); Prickles hook down from stem.

[0062]Color.—Grey Purple Group 184C.

[0063] The hybrid tea rose plant and its flowers as herein described mayvary in slight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditionsunder which the variety may be grown; the present description being ofthe variety as grown at Brighton, Tenn.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of hybrid tearose plant of hardy, upright habit, substantially as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by buds and flowers of exhibition form,essentially medium red in color, with reverse of petals being light redin color, and further characterized by a plant of urn shape, vigorous,with the main stems and shoots being moderately thorny, the said plantbeing easy to propagate from cuttings, with an abundance of flowersborne singly or several per stem.